I was snoozed out this morning about 10:00 when Ava started barking. I was too out of it to investigate, and in any case she didn’t seem particularly alarmed. I drifted back under. There must have been a knock on the door, but I missed it.<\/p>\n
Next thing I knew a little voice called from discreetly outside my bedroom: “Claire? Claire? It’s J. Are you alright?”<\/p>\n
Neighbor J and her daughter had read yesterday’s blog post, in which I said I was thinking about asking her to check in if I wasn’t feeling better today. And there they were. Her daughter E was outside with Ava and J decided to come in when I didn’t respond to her knock.<\/p>\n
She has a key to my house for any odd circumstances, and while I’ve never thought about how it would feel to find her in my living room, when it happened it was most welcome.<\/p>\n
I sat up and invited her into the bedroom. “No. As a matter of fact, I’m not alright. I’m glad you came.”<\/p>\n
“I’m sorry for just walking in …”<\/p>\n
“No. No, please feel free to do that any time you think something might be wrong.”<\/p>\n
“And you do the same for me.”<\/p>\n
I refused her offers of water or tea. I keep gallons of emergency water by the bed, and had no appetite for tea. Anyhow, I’m mobile enough (though woozy and wobbly) to fetch small items around the house. But she brought me some protein snacks. I’ve eaten almost nothing in three days, and all of it carbs; I thought protein might help, which it did for a while.<\/p>\n
Then J did the really big thing and took Ava to Furrydoc’s to board for a few days. She made the arrangements, gathered food and Ava’s blankie, and quietly took off to the vet’s. I don’t have to worry about walkies I’m not well enough to manage or boring poor Ava to death with my inactivity. Definitely a big thing.<\/p>\n
—–<\/p>\n
I deeply appreciate all your good wishes and suggestions (especially the ones involving alcohol, though I’m too much a wuss to drink when I’m sick). Whatever this thing is — flu, bad cold, bronchitis (it has symptoms of all three) — it’s hit me unusually hard. As Sara wrote in comments, its most overwhelming symptom is rapidly sapping every last bit of energy and not giving it back in a hurry. I feel<\/em> somewhat better — until I stand up and walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Then I realize I need to sit down with my head between my legs before heading back to bed.<\/p>\n I’m less achy today, but the cough is worse and I’ll be taking you up on the honey and lemon, if not on the whiskey or rum enhancement.<\/p>\n But I tell you … even though I generally dislike being fussed over when I’m sick, this thing has from the beginning made me want Mommy and Vicks Vap-O-Rub. It’s hit so hard that I’ve been scared at times with its intensity. Knowing a pair of good neighbors was looking out for me and will take charge if things get worse is a great comfort.<\/p>\n Thank you all — and especially J and E. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I was snoozed out this morning about 10:00 when Ava started barking. I was too out of it to investigate, and in any case she didn’t seem particularly alarmed. I drifted back under. There must have been a knock on the door, but I missed it. Next thing I knew a little voice called from discreetly outside my bedroom: “Claire? Claire? It’s J. Are you alright?” Neighbor J and her daughter had read yesterday’s blog post, in which I said I was thinking about asking her to check in if I wasn’t feeling better today. And there they were. Her…<\/p>\n